December Darkness: Are we having fun yet?!
Dear friends,
All around us the world creeps toward winter. The nights are growing longer while our days are dipping colder. Darkness falls before we finish work for the day, and the tendrils of frost are starting to creep across the windowpanes. We are clinging to the warmth and the opportunities to safely social-distance outdoors a few more times.
It's been a really difficult year all around, and it's been one filled with paradox. Too much togetherness with immediate family and also extended social isolation. Mental over-stimulation and pronounced boredom and malaise. Worry and wonder. Chaos, clamor and and silent crying. Virtual and vitriol life. Fear and terror-fatigue. It's been a year of extremes, and we are all feeling pretty darn worse for wear right about now.
We are approaching the longest night of the year while still riding on this roller-coaster that we are turning green on. We are grieving the losses of missed occasions, family milestones, and normal day-to-day of being in our own lives. We know some of you are grieving for loved ones, lost jobs and careers, lonely peripartum experiences, strained relationships, or far-away families , and we extend love and hugs to each of you wherever you find yourself.
However dark it may seem now, there is a reason that nearly every culture feels the need to mark this time with a celebration of light, new life, a new year, a new hope. The darkness can feel like it stretches on interminably, but truly light is peeking just around the corner! By the end of December, our days will be growing longer again, and we will be looking with promise to brighter days.
But now while the world is wrapped in darkness, we can take a cue from the bears and hibernate when we can. May your home be your cave where you rest and recharge as often as you can. Create "hygge," the Scandinavian word that describes a moment or feeling of especially cozy, everyday-togetherness. These moments of contentment can be found in the smallest things--a snuggle under a warm blanket, a savored cup of coffee, or a few minutes alone in a warm shower. Take the time to cultivate the hygge in your daily life.
Even in the easiest of years, families can find themselves stretched thin by holiday expectations. Too often, we hold ourselves to the impossible standards of our memories where time has worn away all stress and the messy details of being pulled in different directions by by personal or family obligations. The world dictates that our holiday celebration will look different this year, and we now have an opportunity to choose simpler, to let go of busyness, and to embrace the hygge in small moments. As you plan your month, give yourself permission to not attempt to recreate the magic of past seasons. Double-down on what you truly enjoy and let go of that which doesn't serve you.
Remember, we are here to help you when those moments of quietude are hard to find. You can carve them out with us in a therapy session. You can book yourself a massage to prioritize your wellness and self-care. You can attend a group to find connection.
We will running our holiday special on massage through the end of December. If you purchase a $300 gift certificate, you will receive 5 (1-hour) massages to help you relax into the season. Jessica our massage therapist is certified in Prenatal, Postnatal and Fertility Massage as well as other modalities such as Oncology Massage, Orthopedic Massage and Reiki. Massage can be an amazing gift for anyone you know who might need a therapeutic, fertility, pre-natal, or postnatal massage--they will definitely thank you.
This season can be particularly challenging if you've experienced a loss. We currently have space available in our Early Pregnancy Loss group. This group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss during pregnancy (5 - 21wks) and aims to help women express their grief without any fear that it will overwhelm others. Please e-mail heidi@maternalwellness.org to register.
We're hanging in there with you, and we're here for you; say the word. Come and be a part of our programming in any way that you can access right now. You'll be glad you did.
Warmly,
Kellie Wicklund, LPC, PMH-C
Owner + Director
www.maternalwellness.org
